Do you want to borrow my toothbrush?

According to a new dental survey most people would be happy to lend their toothbrush to somebody else!

Commissioned by the British Dental Health Foundation the National Smile Month Survey found more than 60% of people would let their lover, children, friends and celebrities borrow their toothbrush.

And men were more protective of their toothbrushes than women. Almost 50% said they would not lend their toothbrush to anyone, against a third of women.

Chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, commented "Sharing toothbrushes leaves people open to all sorts of oral and general health problems."

"People should take care of their toothbrush, change it every three months and not let anybody else use it."

"There's many hundreds of different bacteria and viruses in our mouths. People sharing a toothbrush could be passing these on to others. Whilst this may be relatively harmless; such as a common cold or cold sore; if the person you're sharing it with is infected with hepatitis B or HIV these could possibly also be passed on via the toothbrush - with life threatening consequences."

"It is disturbing that so many people are either not aware, or don't care, that by sharing toothbrushes they could be in danger of catching a serious infection."